If Santonio Holmes is anywhere near as good a wide receiver he was before a couple years of injuries, the NFC North just got that much more interesting.

The Bears and the free-agent Holmes agreed to a deal Saturday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Terms are not yet disclosed.

Santonio Holmes (AP Photo)

Many saw a move like this coming after Chicago lost receiver Marquess Wilson to a broken collarbone earlier in the month. The former Jet and Steeler ideally slides into the No. 3 slot to compliment Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery in coach Marc Trestman's high-volume passing offense.

That is assuming the 30-year-old Holmes, whom the Jets cut in March, is healthy. He sat out most of 2012 with a Lisfranc foot injury and missed five games in 2013 with hamstring issues. It's also assuming the eight-year pro, whose off-field antics reportedly led to the loss of trust among New York teammates, has matured.

Holmes' trainer, Tom Shaw, told the New York Post in June that's not a problem. "He’s grown up more than I’ve seen any player I’ve worked with over the years," Shaw told the Post. "That’s a big plus. He understands the importance of not being in Google, where his boys can find things that are negative on him."

In the NFC North, every team is loaded with firepower. The Lions, Packers and even Vikings are rich with great athletes at tight end and wideout. There will be plenty shootouts in division play.

As well as the Bears moved the ball last season, they were missing a consistent complementary threat in those formations to take better advantage of the attention Marshall and Jeffery get as the league's premier starting duo.

Yes, the Bears have the best 1-2 in the NFL, but as we've seen around the league (see Denver, New Orleans, Green Bay), a talented, dangerous No. 3 takes it to a whole new level.